From the Office of the Acting President
November 13, 1997

To Members of the Gonzaga University Community,

It has come to my attention that several Gonzaga students who reside in an off-campus residence received a homophobic and threatening letter, and that a flier was posted in the Administration Building recently that was both homophobic and racist in nature. These incidents are the latest in a series of homophobic incidents to occur this semester.

Gonzaga University deplores and condemns hatred and intolerance in all forms, and embraces all individuals irrespective of sexual orientation, race, national origin, gender, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. The University values and fosters diversity, which benefits the University and the entire community. Homophobic acts attempt to silence and erase the lives of individuals who are, and continue to be, valued members of the Gonzaga community. These acts are cowardly, criminal, inhumane, and non-Christian. The entire Gonzaga community must know that conduct which seeks to or has the effect of discouraging full participation in the life of this University by any member of the community on account of sex, race, sexual orientation, religion or national or ethnic origin violates both the Mission Statement and the Ethos Statement of the University as outlined in the Gonzaga University Student Handbook.

A groundswell of positive initiatives and programs have taken place at Gonzaga in recent years to promote diversity and battle intolerance. These efforts are continuing at a rapid pace. Most recently, the Gonzaga Board of Trustees unanimously approved in concept the creation of an institute for the study of hate and hate crimes, and the effects of these evils on society. I am aware of no other academic institution that has undertaken such a project. On Monday of this week, the University participated in a national teleconference addressing the issue of hate crimes in the United States, which was followed by an interactive panel discussion by members of our community. The Gonzaga Student Body Association brought Edward James Olmos to our campus on Tuesday night to talk about the need for both tolerance and the requirement of all individuals to be prepared to embrace diversity if they expect to succeed in the 21st century.

In addition, the University is in the process of advertising for a new associate academic vice president for diversity, who will work to improve the diversity and openness of the campus community and will provide better coordination with the surrounding community on issues of racial and social justice.

Anyone with information about either these particular acts, or additional acts of intolerance are encouraged to contact Mr. Dave Bergen, Dean of Student Services in Room 120 of the Administration Building or Mr. Bob Bartlett, Director of Cultural Diversity. I encourage every member of the Gonzaga community to work together to eliminate all forms of intolerance from our campus and the community at large.

Sincerely,

Harry Sladich
Acting President

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